Rogue UCP MLA Drew Barnes says he will talk to his caucus colleagues before deciding how to vote on an upcoming NDP motion reject independence and support a united Canada..The NDP said on Canada Day they would bring in the motion to the Legislature on Monday..“I am very, very disappointed the NDP with the motion would try and diminish the role of Alberta within Confederation,” Barnes told the Western Standard on Thursday..“It’s part of Rachel Notley’s plan to work with her friend (Prime Minister) Justin Trudeau.”.Cypress-Medicine Hat MLA Barnes said his concern with the NDP motion supporting Canada is it uses the phrase “always.”.“We heard it in the Fair Deal hearings and from my constituents loud and clear that there has to be serious discussions about Alberta with a (independence) referendum on the table,” Barnes said..“I plan on being in the Legislature Monday and speaking on it – after I’ve had a chance to discuss it with my UCP colleagues.”.There have been calls for Premier Jason Kenney to kick Barnes out of caucus for saying a referendum on independence should be on the table for Alberta in any discussions with Ottawa to get a fairer deal for the province..“Repeatedly, UCP Cypress-Medicine Hat MLA Drew Barnes has, without challenge or objection from Jason Kenney or any member of the UCP Cabinet and Caucus, supported the idea of Alberta separating from Canada,” the NDP said in a release on Canada Day..“As well, UCP Red Deer-South MLA Jason Stephan read off a bizarre rant last month in the Legislature in which he referred to other Canadian provinces as, ‘hostile, parasitic partners.’”.Heather Sweet, NDP House Leader, said: “This motion will force Jason Kenney and the UCP to finally take a stand. Fanning the flames of separatism is this Premier’s way of distracting Albertans from his failed $4.7-billion corporate handout, which hasn’t created jobs or drawn in new investment.”. POLL: Many Albertans say they will ignore Christmas COVID lockdown .“Our caucus has been clear and open with Albertans in our support for a united Canada and unanimous in our belief that Alberta’s best interest lay within Canada. It is time for Jason Kenney and the UCP to finally be upfront with Albertans on this serious issue.”.Stephan couldn’t be reached for comment..Dave Naylor is the News Editor of the Western Standard.dnaylor@westernstandardonline.com.TWITTER: Twitter.com/nobby7694
Rogue UCP MLA Drew Barnes says he will talk to his caucus colleagues before deciding how to vote on an upcoming NDP motion reject independence and support a united Canada..The NDP said on Canada Day they would bring in the motion to the Legislature on Monday..“I am very, very disappointed the NDP with the motion would try and diminish the role of Alberta within Confederation,” Barnes told the Western Standard on Thursday..“It’s part of Rachel Notley’s plan to work with her friend (Prime Minister) Justin Trudeau.”.Cypress-Medicine Hat MLA Barnes said his concern with the NDP motion supporting Canada is it uses the phrase “always.”.“We heard it in the Fair Deal hearings and from my constituents loud and clear that there has to be serious discussions about Alberta with a (independence) referendum on the table,” Barnes said..“I plan on being in the Legislature Monday and speaking on it – after I’ve had a chance to discuss it with my UCP colleagues.”.There have been calls for Premier Jason Kenney to kick Barnes out of caucus for saying a referendum on independence should be on the table for Alberta in any discussions with Ottawa to get a fairer deal for the province..“Repeatedly, UCP Cypress-Medicine Hat MLA Drew Barnes has, without challenge or objection from Jason Kenney or any member of the UCP Cabinet and Caucus, supported the idea of Alberta separating from Canada,” the NDP said in a release on Canada Day..“As well, UCP Red Deer-South MLA Jason Stephan read off a bizarre rant last month in the Legislature in which he referred to other Canadian provinces as, ‘hostile, parasitic partners.’”.Heather Sweet, NDP House Leader, said: “This motion will force Jason Kenney and the UCP to finally take a stand. Fanning the flames of separatism is this Premier’s way of distracting Albertans from his failed $4.7-billion corporate handout, which hasn’t created jobs or drawn in new investment.”. POLL: Many Albertans say they will ignore Christmas COVID lockdown .“Our caucus has been clear and open with Albertans in our support for a united Canada and unanimous in our belief that Alberta’s best interest lay within Canada. It is time for Jason Kenney and the UCP to finally be upfront with Albertans on this serious issue.”.Stephan couldn’t be reached for comment..Dave Naylor is the News Editor of the Western Standard.dnaylor@westernstandardonline.com.TWITTER: Twitter.com/nobby7694
